April 30, 201016 yr A buddy and I were having a debate and it led to the topic of players that would have been all time greats in their sports if injuries hadn't stolen a chunk of their careers. I thought it might be interesting to discuss here. Our conversation centered around Grant Hill and Sam Bowie (folks forget big Sam averaged 10.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game for his career) in the NBA, Bo Jackson in football and baseball (I am convinced that if Bo only played baseball, he would be top 5 in HRs and an all time great) and Eric Lindros in hockey. Who do you think had all time great careers stolen by injuries? What do you think of the folks already mentioned?
April 30, 201016 yr He still had a great career but I think Griffey would have been in the conversation for greatest player of all time had injuries not hurt him. He could do it all. Grant Hill is an obvious one too.
April 30, 201016 yr Bo Jackson was a number one for me. People that didn't get to watch him have no idea what a freak of an athlete he was for his time. I never saw Clemmente (sp) play but from what I've heard he was outstanding with the Pirates before his plane crash. To a lessor extent Mark Prior and Kerry Wood from not so long ago. I know Wood pitches but it's not the same. Prior was outstanding!
April 30, 201016 yr Bo Jackson was a number one for me. People that didn't get to watch him have no idea what a freak of an athlete he was for his time. I never saw Clemmente (sp) play but from what I've heard he was outstanding with the Pirates before his plane crash. To a lessor extent Mark Prior and Kerry Wood from not so long ago. I know Wood pitches but it's not the same. Prior was outstanding! Stick, I was just getting ready to add Prior and Kerry Wood. Good call man.:thumb: I was way too young for Jackson or Clemente, but from what I've read and heard they would have to fit the category as well.
April 30, 201016 yr Who knows what would have happened if Palacios hadn't been poked in the eye. Funny how some of them act like the "Timberlake Stomp" was a big deal, but this wasn't. :lol:
April 30, 201016 yr Jason(Jay) Williams was a 'Chris Paul' type of point guard before Chris Paul ever stepped foot on Wake Forest's campus. He easily would be a top 5 point guard, IMHO, in the NBA right now if not for the awful decision to ride that motorcycle. I miss watching him play.:cry: Bo Jackson is the greatest athlete I have ever witnessed in my life. It's not even close. For what it's worth....LeBron is the 2nd greatest athlete I have ever witnessed and he still can't touch Bo Jackson. Bo knows everything!!!!!!!
April 30, 201016 yr Ironically I read an autibiography of Bo Jackson. Really interesting life and career as a football/baseball player. I'd encourage anyone to read it if possible.
April 30, 201016 yr Clemente was one of the best I ever saw. While his death was tragic, he was 38 and had played 18 seasons. Had Bo Jackson played a full baseball career, his stats probably would have looked something like this: .250 average, 550 homers and 3,000 strikeouts. I liked him more on the football field; and I can still see him running over Brian Bosworth on the highlight reels. Here are a few more names to add to the mix: Gale Sayers Sandy Koufax J.R. Richard Lyman Bostock And to paraphrase Dennis Leary: Lou Gehrig. Died of Lou Gehrig's disease. How did he not see that coming?
April 30, 201016 yr Bo Jackson was a number one for me. People that didn't get to watch him have no idea what a freak of an athlete he was for his time. I never saw Clemmente (sp) play but from what I've heard he was outstanding with the Pirates before his plane crash. To a lessor extent Mark Prior and Kerry Wood from not so long ago. I know Wood pitches but it's not the same. Prior was outstanding! I agree, Bo Jackson was the first name that came to my mind. Jr. second and Gale Sayers.
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.